Daily Iftar (Monday to Saturday)

The daily iftar is usually held at the rear of the mosque. A temporary tent is constructed using scaffolding with some Arabic style decor. This is how the tent looks like. Despite the way it looks, it still can withstand the rain and strong winds here.

Only male Muslims will come for the daily iftar here.

Inside the tent, about 5 minutes before Maghrib, people will gather and sit around the foods. For the breaking of fast, there will be dates with sour cream, samosa, spicey soup, juice and milk served for everyone.

Then, we will perform our congregational Maghrib prayer before having the main course. For the main course, usually they will serve briyani rice with curry – chicken, lamb or beef. There was one time when they served lamb with lots of chips instead of rice.

Weekly Community Iftar

The weekly community iftar is held every Sunday and it is a potluck iftar where the locals are encouraged to bring food and share with the rest. It is also known as family iftar where all Muslim, brothers and sisters including children will come for iftar.

To cater a larger number of attendees, the iftar takes place at the hall next to the mosque and is separated for male and female. All sisters will pray in the hall while the brothers will pray in the mosque.

The cool thing about this Iftar is the number and variety of food. It surely reminds me of the Ramadhan buffet in hotels back in Malaysia. But the foods are limited, so each week I try to have all the foods and delicacies.

Tarawih prayers

Eventhough maghrib starts at about 5.20pm, the Isya and tarawih prayer will start a little bit later. Isya’ prayer starts at 7.30pm followed by Tarawih.

After 4 rakaat of Tarawih, there will be a short break where they made announcement, tazkirah and refreshment. Some volunteer will help distribute drinks or snacks while waiting for the daily quiz.

Ramadhan Quiz
The quiz is about Quran and general knowledge in Islam. Everyone can participate by submitting the entry form with the correct answer in a glass jar provided. Winners will be selected by random pick from the jar. Among the prizes are a $20 Coles Gift Card. That’s cool isn’t it?

After the break, the tarawih resumes. Basically, the Imam will read a whole page in Quran per rakaat during the first eight rakaat. In the remaining eight, the Imam will read short verses from Juz Amma. The prayer ends at about 9.10pm.

There’s no moreh after that but there are always some foods or snacks left outside the prayer hall for people to have a bite after the prayers.

This is the last destination of our first Sydney trip. We came back to Circular Quay to watch the Vivid Sydney show. It is when Circular Quay comes to live and is happening at night.

What is Vivid Sydney?

The Vivid Sydney is a festival of light, music and ideas and it colours the city with breathtaking immersive light projection on iconic Sydney Opera House sails, Customs House, and free outdoor exhibition of interactive light sculptures.

The light projections start at 6pm to 12pm. We arrived there at about 7pm and could see many people hanging out with their friends and family. It was the last night of the event and I’m glad we finally made it here to witness it with our own eyes. Thanks to the Queen’s Birthday public holiday.

Opera House sails

These are snapshots of the light projection on Sydney Opera House sails. It’s not easy to take a picture at night using a compact camera.

This is the time lapse video of the light performance.

Customs House facade

Here are snapshots of the light projection on the Customs House facade. I’ve watched it on Youtube last year. This time, I’m watching it live!

This is the full length video of the light show.

Other illuminating arts installation and sculptures

These photos were taken from Vivid Sydney Mashup website.

We should have seen all of the light installations on site. But I didn’t want to arrive home after midnight. That’s why we left quite early at about 8.30pm from Circular Quay. The bus departed at 9pm and we arrived in Newcastle at 11.40pm after one of our memorable outing this year.

The lesson from this trip is we should invest in a tripod. If you notice from our photos that we don’t have any pictures together as a couple.

If you are coming to Sydney next year, you can visit Vivid Sydney official website for details if you want to catch the lights.

From the Kiblat Walk

This is the starting point of the exhibition booth in Kiblat Walk. Kiblat Walk is a bridge between Kompleks Perbadanan Putrajaya and the mosque.

All participating university exhibits their products on the left side while government bodies are on the right. IIUM booth is the first one!

Government bodies booths are on the right side of Kiblat walk.

Then I came across Kementerian Dalam Negeri booth and I was curious to ask about the non-certified Quran. Apparently after I visit the booth, more people are also interested to check the display.
Among them are Quran with wrong page order, Quran printed on a calendar paper and many more.

These are some apparel that have Allah name as part of the pattern.

This is Almuneer Quran Device. I’ve seen the printed version of this product in IIUM last year. According to the officer, locally it is distributed by Darulfikir. It cost more than RM3400++ [source]

At the Sahn in the mosque

Approaching the mosque, this is the view from the audience canopy. The main stage and the audience is separated by the crystal clear pond.

Moving on, there are exhibitions from private sectors including Tabung Haji, TM Unifi, Islamic banking and finance, NGO and many more.

Anyway, I’m sorry for the low quality of the pictures. I forgot to bring my digital camera. However I regretted that there are some female exhibitors that don’t cover their aurat in the mosque area. I hope the organizer can observe into this matter for the next carnival.

Well, if you have free time this weekend, don’t forget to bring your friend and family to this event. Thanks for watching!

I’m planning to come and see all the exhibitions. Its a four days event starting tomorrow, 5th to 8th August 2010.

Exhibition

Well, there are lots of activites during this carnival and exhibition. Please note that the exhibition will be open through out the whole carnival from 10am to 10pm.

Exhibition from goverment sectors will be held at Kiblat Walk while the private sectors will be held at Sahn Masjid Tuanku Mizan.

Why you should come?

This is the nearest event near Kuala Lumpur. Previously, the same carnival has been conducted in Perlis, Terengganu. So, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Program Schedule

5 August 2010 – Thursday

6 August 2010 – Friday

7 August 2010 – Saturday

8 August 2010 – Sunday

For more information, please visit their website – Karnival Inovasi Islam Peringkat Kebangsaan

Till then, see you there! Wassalam.

Salam. Last week, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak has launched ‘Malaysia Inovatif 2010′ with the tagline, ‘Innovative Leadership for 1United, Innovative Malaysia.’

This is one of the historical moment for Malaysia in gearing towards the vision 2020, which is less than 10 years from now.

With the theme of ‘Celebrating Creativity’, which is quite inline with my blog’s tagline, ‘Innovating Creative Minds’, it is my hope to see Malaysia especially Malaysian can become creative and innovative nation in the world. Its time to show the world that Malaysia also can become as good as the Japan or even the European.

According the their website, Malaysia Inovatif portal, some activities will be organized including roadshows and exhibition throughout the year, which are:

• Northern region (Kangar, Perlis) : 27-28 February 2010
• Sabah (Keningau) : 24-25 April 2010
• East Coast (Kuala Terengganu) : 19-20 June 2010
• Southern region (Pagoh, Johor) : 7-8 August 2010
• Sarawak (Sibu) : 16-17 October 2010
• Central (Melaka) : 13-14 November
• Program Jiran Muda Sabah dan Sarawak : 17-18 June 2010
• Young Creative ASEAN Program : September 2010
• 1Malaysia Innovation Tournament : 21-30 August 2009 (Youtube)
• Festival Malaysia Inovatif : 24-27 November 2010

Lots of events this year. Mark your calendar guys! Its time to get creative and innovative this time. Let’s put on your thinking hat and create something cool! I bet university students and even local private companies with R&D departments will have something new to show.

All we need is a really creative idea, before we can commercialize and contribute for the society well being.

Here’s the official Poster, and flyers design.


This program is organized by Belia JIM Ampang Jaya with cooperation from Masjid Al-Azim Pandan Indah as the host. Among prominent exhibitors are Les Copaque (Upin Ipin), National Blood Centre, Hidayah Centre, National Transplant Resource Centre and many more.

Some of the activities including exhibition booth, food and beverage, car boot sale, jumble sale, blood drive donation, free medical checkups, game booths and many more. For more information, you can visit Official Website of KASUKABE 09.

Besides that, its my first time to use Facebook Ad to promote this program. Social media is an important advertising tool because online and offline advertising is important to promote this event. Let’s see how well it performs.

Till then, hope to see you guys there!

P/S – Guess my involvement in UIA events such as KAED Fest and Taaruf Week was really useful this time

Best Students (Co-curriculum) For KAED

After waiting for almost an hour for Engineering and ICT students to receive their scroll, its time for the award winners session. Each department has its own best student in academic, cocurriculum and overall achievement. I never thought that I can win this award. Here’s the screen capture of my achievement but my final CGPA is incorrect.

Rector’s List

I attended my sister’s convocation in UiTM in 2006. At that time, I wanted to be one of the Vice Chancellor Award recipients. Anyway, Alhamdulillah, my prayers was answered because I’ve made it into the Rector’s List. If only I aimed higher. Click here to watch the entire award winners in Youtube.

Valedictory Speech

Alhamdulillah, I was chosen to deliver valedictory speech during my session. I have to prepare the text on my own and I also asked some help from my friends and lecturers from CELPAD. They helped my with the content, correcting my grammar and also translating Arabic text for me.

Before I deliver the speech, I went to the restroom to pee because the hall is so cold. To make things worse, I don’t have much time because ICT students just began to receive their scroll and the toilet officers told me to remove my robe before entering the toilet. Glad I manage to made it in time.

Actually, it is my first time deliver a speech on the main stage of CAC. I was very nervous and my legs were shaky. So there goes my valedictory speech. I should have printed bigger fonts because it doesn’t look good when giving a speech while holding the text. However, I’m glad that the crowd supported me with the applauses especially from my friends in KAED.

Watch my speech on Youtube : Part 1 and Part 2.

Lunch with VIPs

After the session was adjourned, all award winners with their parents were invited to have lunch with the VIPs. Since all of the family table was occupied, I have to sit at the media table. Since there’s no members of media is coming for lunch, I’ve invited my sisters and Huda to have lunch together.

Photoshoot

This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. Let the picture do the talking!

The last picture is all my dorm mate back in Matric UIA from ABC 209. Click here to see our picture back in 2005.

Getting Final Transcript

If only I could turn back time. I know it is impossible but I know I can do better in some of the courses but I took them for granted. Anyway, my degree stuff is over. Its time for the beginning of brighter future.

Congratulations to all my friends, to all IIUM graduands class of 2009. May Allah bless all of you.

P/S – credits to Fakhar’s cousin for some of the wide angle pictures

Nur Amina also graduated from UIAM

Salam to all my friends, readers and visitors. This is just a quick entry. I’d like to inform that I’ll be coming to International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) for my convocation.

My convocation is on the third session, which is scheduled at 9am, 11th October 2009, this Sunday.

There’s lots of events for this Convest, including Stabaz and Gempak Carnival. I’m pretty sure its gonna be a massive traffic congestion inside IIUM. I wonder whether IIUM traffic can open the third entrance near Kampung Sg. Pusu to reroute the traffic.

Till then, I’ll post more convocation pictures soon. Wassalam.

P/S – I love the convocation robe, it suits my blog’s purple colour!

Enough of the introduction. Today is the last day for casting your vote. Here’s my vote from number 1, my favourite until 10, less favourite.

1. Inilah Malaysia :Taja (Jac)
2. Kami Anak Malaysia : Ashroff
3. Perpaduan 1Malaysia : Alex
4. Lagu Rakyat Satu Malaysia : Norm Aidid (Rida)
5. Keranamu Hati Ku Malaysia : Lead (Manis)
6. Nyanyikan Lagu Mu – Ng Ching Ching (Maya Karin)
7. Satu: Shazee (Tomok)
8. Sehati Sejiwa – Gerard Singh
9. Malaysia Satu :Audimok (Faizal Tahir)
10. Satu Malaysia – Aubrey Suwito (Siti Nurhaliza)

Basically, I vote these song base on the uniqueness, creativity and excitement. Here’s the quick review of these songs. Number 1 & 2 is very rich and merry. Number 3, 4 and 5 is fast paced and catchy. 6 to 10, the composition is fine, sounds professional but I don’t think the tune and rhythm suits with the spirit of 1Malaysia. Why Aubrey Suwito song is very melancholy? I don’t like it. Sorry, no offense!

Song for New Generation or for all?

I don’t know why, but I prefer those indie composers, because their music are new and fresh. It is suitable with the original theme, Generasi Baru or new generation. However, after HotFM has confirmed about the theme, they changed it into Lagu 1Malaysia Kita, which is to be accepted for all generation.

Till then, the voting ends today, 26th August. The winner will be announced on 31st August. I don’t expect to win any Blackberry. I just want to vote. Wishing all the best to all finalist!

Click here to download all of these song.

So, which song do you like the best?

Location and Facilities

Agropark Cermas Camp is located few kilometers after Kg. Lebu, near Lurah Bilut in Pahang. It takes about 20 minutes from Bentong town. This camp can cater up to 450 participants in one time. Some of the facilities including open hall, canteen, dormitories and chalet accomodation. Besides that, they also have obstacle course, flying fox, paintball and jungle trekking activities.

View Cermas Agropark in a larger map

Interior Layout for chalet and dorm

A single dorm can accomodate up to 28 participants. Some of the dormitories is attached to the bathroom and WC. For dormitory layout, usually they will use bunk bed (a.k.a. double decker or katil bertingkat). While a chalet can accomodate about 7 participants comfortably. I guess this is the best chalet in training camp. Its really cold at night!

Jungle Trekking with a cat

On the third day, we went for jungle trekking and hiking up to 400 meters. However, the most unforgettable experience is the camp cat, Hitam, followed us from the canteen until the top of the hill. Maybe the cat is boring to stay there, and surprisingly, the cat manage to climb till the top. If you don’t trust me, check out this picture. I’m holding the cat. Credit to Che Sakinah Facebook for this picture. By the way, from the top of the hill, we can clearly see Bentong town and Bentong prison. I never knew that Bentong also has state-of-the-art prison before!

My crocs shoe experience

I just wanted to test how useful a croc shoe can be. Back in Midvalley, I saw a poster, how a triathlon athlete uses croc for running, swimming and cycling (maybe). So I bring along my Asadi crocs, and I wear it for jungle trekking and obstacle course.

So, the result is they can dry easily. (The material is rubber-like ethylene vinyl acetate which is waterproof). It is reliable for walking and outdoor activities. However for climbing and hiking, its slippery and does not grip. Besides that, leeches are the common problems because they can simply slip into the shoe and suck your blood. The lesson is, wear a proper shoe when hiking or jungle trekking.

Well, AKHI Retreat Camp is my real last program with AKHI Club as a student. In the future, I may come and join them but not as student anymore.